Thanksgiving crafts for kids preschool don’t have to stress you out or require a trip to seventeen different stores. Some of my favorite holiday memories with my kids happened right at our kitchen table with construction paper, glue sticks, and way too much glitter.
These simple craft ideas are perfect for keeping little hands busy while you’re prepping for the big day – or honestly, just trying to survive another Tuesday in November.
1. Coffee Filter Turkey
Materials:
- Coffee filter
- Washable markers
- Spray bottle with water
- Construction paper (brown)
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Instructions:
- Color coffee filter with markers.
- Lightly mist with water to let colors blend; let dry.
- Cut turkey body from brown paper and glue to filter.
- Add eyes, beak, and wattle.
A vibrant thanksgiving kids craft to decorate windows or walls.
2. Leaf Print Placemat
Materials:
- Real leaves
- Fall-colored paint
- Large sheet of paper
- Paintbrush
Instructions:
- Paint leaves with fall colors.
- Press them onto paper to make prints.
- Repeat to cover the paper.
This thanksgiving arts and crafts for kids project is perfect for hands-on fun and makes a sweet addition to the dinner table.
3. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Brown and orange paper
- Glue
- Markers
- Small scraps of fabric
Instructions:
- Glue sticks side by side to make a rectangle.
- Add a paper hat and fabric “scarf.”
- Draw a face with markers.
An adorable and easy crafts for kids idea that adds farmhouse charm to preschool thanksgiving decor.
4. Pinecone Turkey
Materials:
- Pinecone
- Craft feathers
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Orange paper
Instructions:
- Glue feathers into the back of the pinecone.
- Add eyes and a beak to the front.
- Let dry completely before displaying.
One of the best thanksgiving crafts for kids to make using natural materials found outside.
5. Corn on the Cob Craft
Materials:
- Bubble wrap
- Yellow paint
- Green construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut bubble wrap into an oval shape.
- Paint it yellow and press onto white paper.
- Cut husks from green paper and glue around the “corn.”
A creative arts and crafts for kids idea that uses everyday materials for a festive twist. Perfect and easy enough for preschool.
6. Paper Bag Turkey Puppet
Materials:
- Brown paper bag
- Construction paper (various colors)
- Glue
- Googly eyes
Instructions:
- Cut and glue paper feathers to the back of the bag.
- Add a face with eyes, beak, and wattle on the flap.
- Let kids use them for storytelling or a puppet show.
A great diy crafts for kids easy enough for preschoolers and perfect for imaginative play.
7. Feathered Headband
Materials:
- Construction paper (brown and colorful)
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut a brown strip for the band.
- Cut colorful feather shapes and glue to the strip.
- Adjust and tape or staple to fit the child’s head.
This is an easy arts and crafts for kids idea that adds a festive touch to thanksgiving day celebrations.
8. Handprint Turkey
Materials:
- Construction paper (various colors)
- Washable paint (brown, red, orange, yellow)
- Paintbrush
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint your child’s palm and thumb brown and each finger a different bright color.
- Press the painted hand onto paper to create the turkey body and feathers.
- Add a beak, wattle, and googly eyes.
This is one of the easiest thanksgiving crafts for kids preschool that turns little hands into adorable keepsakes. Fun, colorful, and a perfect memory maker for the holiday.
9. Yarn-Wrapped Pumpkin
Materials
- Cardboard
- Orange yarn
- Green pipe cleaners
- Scissors
- Tape or glue
Instructions
- Cut a pumpkin shape out of cardboard.
- Tape one end of the yarn to the back of the pumpkin shape.
- Wrap the yarn around until the cardboard is fully covered.
- Twist a green pipe cleaner into a stem and leaf, then attach to the top.
This is a simple craft for kids that works for all ages. The yarn wrapping makes it a cozy craft for kids preschool age, and it’s perfect for fall décor.
10. Paper Plate Turkey
Materials:
- Paper plate
- Brown paint
- Construction paper (red, orange, yellow)
- Glue
- Googly eyes
Instructions:
- Paint the paper plate brown and let it dry.
- Cut feather shapes from construction paper.
- Glue feathers around the top edge of the plate.
- Add eyes, beak, and wattle to the center.
A classic kids thanksgiving craft that’s simple to make and brightens any table. Great for preschool kids.
11. Pilgrim Hat Headband
Materials:
- Black construction paper
- Yellow paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Stapler or tape
Instructions:
- Cut a black strip for the headband.
- Make a square buckle from yellow paper.
- Attach buckle to a black hat shape and glue onto the strip.
- Size to fit the child’s head and secure.
One of the most fun crafts for kids preschoolers can wear proudly during Thanksgiving activities. Explore here 17 Pilgrim and Native American-inspired crafts.
12. Mini Pumpkin Painting
Materials
- Small pumpkins
- Acrylic paints
- Paintbrushes
- Cup of water
- Newspaper or table covering
Instructions
- Lay down newspaper to protect your surface.
- Choose fun designs or patterns to paint on each pumpkin.
- Let the paint dry before displaying.
Mini pumpkin painting is a classic easy Thanksgiving craft for kids. It’s quick to set up, lets kids explore their creativity, and makes adorable table decorations.
13. Leaf Print Art
Materials
- Fresh leaves
- White paper or cardstock
- Washable paint
- Paintbrushes
Instructions
- Collect a variety of fresh leaves.
- Paint one side of a leaf.
- Press the painted side onto paper and gently lift to reveal the print.
- Repeat with different shapes and colors.
Leaf printing is a fun craft for kids easy enough for preschoolers but still engaging for older children. The fall colors make it a perfect Thanksgiving Day craft for kids
14. Paper Plate Scarecrow
Materials:
- 1 paper plate (beige or white)
- Brown construction paper (for hat)
- Yellow and red construction paper (for hair strips)
- Orange construction paper (for nose)
- Black marker or pen (for eyes and mouth)
- White paper (for eyes, optional if not drawing)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or liquid glue
Instructions:
- Paint paper plate tan.
- Cut hat, hair, eyes, nose, mouth from paper
- .Glue pieces onto plate
- Let dry.
This cheerful paper plate scarecrow is an easy and fun fall craft for kids, perfect for adding a touch of autumn charm to your home or classroom.
15. Turkey Bookmark
Materials:
- Craft stick (popsicle stick)
- Brown paint or marker
- Construction paper (red, yellow, orange)
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Paint or color the craft stick brown.
- Cut feather shapes from the construction paper.
- Glue feathers to the top of the stick.
- Add googly eyes, a beak, and a red wattle.
A fun crafts for kids idea that makes reading even more festive.
16. Candy Corn Turkey Craft
Materials:
- Construction paper (orange, yellow, brown, white)
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut out a candy corn shape with three colored stripes: white, orange, and yellow.
- Cut out a small brown circle for the turkey head.
- Glue the head on top of the candy corn.
- Add googly eyes, beak, and wattle.
A simple crafts for kids project that combines two classic fall symbols.
17. Pilgrim Hat Crayon Holder
Materials:
- Black paper cup
- Black construction paper
- Yellow construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Turn the paper cup upside down.
- Cut a black circle larger than the cup’s opening for the brim.
- Glue the brim to the cup.
- Add a yellow paper buckle to the front.
A creative Thanksgiving crafts for kids idea that doubles as a table decoration.
18. Nature Walk Leaf Crown
Materials:
- Real leaves from a nature walk
- Construction paper strip (for crown base)
- Glue or tape
- Stapler or tape to close crown
Instructions:
- Go for a nature walk to collect leaves.
- Cut a strip of construction paper to fit around the head.
- Glue the leaves along the strip.
- Staple or tape the ends together to form a crown.
A great DIY crafts for kids activity that connects them with the beauty of the season.
19. Tissue Paper Corn
Materials:
- Yellow, green, and brown tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- White cardstock
Instructions:
- Cut the tissue paper into small squares
- On cardstock, draw or print an outline of corn.
- Crumple yellow pieces for the kernels and glue them inside the outline.
- Use green pieces for the husk and brown for the stem.
This textured craft is colorful, tactile, and perfect for preschoolers working on fine motor skills.
20. Egg Carton Turkey Family
Materials:
- Empty egg carton
- Brown paint
- Paintbrushes
- Colored construction paper (red, orange, yellow)
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cut the egg carton into individual cups for each turkey body.
- Paint the cups brown and let dry.
- Cut feather shapes from colored paper and glue to the back of each cup.
- Add googly eyes to the front.
- Cut and glue a small orange beak and red wattle under the eyes.
Create an adorable turkey family to decorate your table with this fun craft for kids. It’s one of the easiest crafts for kids to make and a perfect way to recycle egg cartons into holiday keepsakes.
—
There you have it – enough Thanksgiving crafts for kids preschool to keep your little ones busy and proud of their creations. These aren’t just time-fillers; they’re the moments your kids will remember.
Yes, you’ll find googly eyes everywhere for months, but seeing your child beam over their wonky turkey? That’s the real magic. Grab those supplies, embrace the chaos – your table might not survive, but their memories will.
If you’re looking for more Thanksgiving crafts, explore these 14 ideas to keep them busy—plus these for elementary-aged, fun and easy Thanksgiving crafts and Thanksgiving card ideas for kids.
You might also find inspiration in this collection of Thanksgiving painted rocks that are as fun to make as they are to display.
Happy Thanksgiving!
